Just like recent changes implemented by the City of Edmonton, Coun. Mike Killick is planning to propose a widespread three stream waste collection process for St. Albert's condo and apartment complexes in order to improve local waste diversion.
Early last month Killick submitted an information request asking administration to analyze and explain what would be required to introduce the system, which would entail all local multi-residential dwellers having immediate access to garbage, recycling, and organic bins, rather than just garbage and recycling.
After reading the report, Killick said he drafted a motion that will look to make the idea a reality.
“I think that St. Albert, generally, we need to do a better job of diverting waste from landfills, so this is a good opportunity to look at how we deal with some of the outliers,” Killick said.
“I'm not sure exactly the cost that would be required to do it in St. Albert, but again, if they can figure it out in Edmonton, I think we can figure it out here too.”
Of the 139 multi-residential buildings in St. Albert, just 13 currently have three stream waste collection, read the report written by Louise Stewart, a senior manager in the city's public works department.
All single-family residences in St. Albert have had three stream collection since 2011, Stewart wrote. At the time, all multi-residential complexes with waste collection provided by the city were given the same service option, or were required to find a private contractor.
As a result of the ultimatum, many opted out of city-provided waste collection, Stewart wrote, as building managers felt space was limited and there was little need for an organics bin. As such, 95 multi-residential buildings in St. Albert currently operate with privately serviced waste collection through companies like 310-DUMP and Waste Connections.
Stewart's report says “significant capital and operational investment” would be needed to implement the change city-wide to account for the additional 95 properties that would be serviced by the city, as well as the 126 properties that would need to be provided organics bins.
The report doesn't provide an estimated cost, although Stewart wrote that council will be given a presentation of the city's waste minimization strategy on May 9, and additional questions could be answered then.
When asked, Killick said he'll be interested to learn the cost estimate, but felt the improved waste diversion potentially accomplished through the change is necessary and worthwhile.
“When I saw Edmonton implementing it I thought this is the perfect time to bring it forward for city council to consider going forward,” he said.
St. Albert's residents managed to send 171 tonnes less trash to the landfill in 2022 compared to the year prior, although the waste diversion rate remained steady at 46 per cent, as recently reported by the Gazette.
A waste diversion rate represents the percentage of waste sorted and thrown into the proper receptacles. In years past, St. Albert's goal was to reach a 75 per cent waste diversion rate, but that numerical goal has been left out of recent plans and strategies.
In Edmonton, the wide-spread implementation of three stream waste collection is scheduled to be phased in over the next three years, and Killick said he would expect St. Albert's program to take two years.
As of April 20, Killick has not submitted his notice of motion, and until he does so it won't be presented to council for debate.
